Page 80 of The Kissing Part
No one messes with my woman.
* * *
Shayla
The moment the police take Matt away, I rush into Owen’s open arms.
I look up at him, my arms tucked around his middle. “What are you doing here? And how did you get in?”
He brushes my hair back from my face. “The back patio door was open, and I’m here because—”
“You missed me.”
He sighs so big it parts my hair. “I told everyone I was going to check on your security system, but when I saw you alone facing Matt, I—” his voice chokes “—I can’t bear to think of not having you in my life. I love you, Shayla, I always have and always will.”
Tears sting my eyes. I said the same thing to him not long ago, and now he’s returning that love. “I love you too. I’ve missed you so much. You were the one who didn’t keep in touch this time.”
“Because I was stupidly trying to get over you. Impossible. And I understand now about the pressure you were under when we were together the first time. I forgive you, and I hope you can forgive me for being so selfish and only seeing my side.”
My heart soars. He’s finally putting the past behind us. “Of course I forgive you. Are we really doing this?”
“We’re really doing this, but I have some rules. We have to talk about stuff that affects both of us.”
I nod solemnly. “Harper told me how your mom brings your dad in on everything before it’s official. I guess I never had a serious relationship before. It didn’t occur to me.”
“Me either, besides you. I guess we’re each other’s serious relationship.”
I kiss him. “You were my first. I hope you’ll be my last.”
He grins. “Shayla Adler, are you proposing to me?”
“That depends on your answer.”
He crushes me to his chest. We stay like that for long moments. Me crushed by love; Owen considering my proposal. I’ll wait as long as I have to for his answer. He sure waited a long time for mine.
He pulls back. “God, Shayla, I thought I’d lost you forever. I’ve never been so terrified in my life as when I saw that open door and found you in the kitchen with him. As far as I’m concerned, you’re stuck with me for life.”
“So that’s a yes? Wait. Let me make it official. Owen Campbell, will you marry me?”
“Absolutely.”
I bounce on the balls of my feet, happiness bubbling up inside me. “I’ll get you a ring.”
“And I’ll get you one too.”
He bends me over his arm and kisses me just like in the movies. I love it, and I love him. Always.
Just like I told him all those years ago.
Epilogue
Three months later…
I signed the deed of my Clover Park house over to my honorary sisters, Harper and Mackenzie. They plan to live there together. Maybe down the line they’ll sell it and split the proceeds, but for now they’re my neighbors. Yup, I moved into Owen’s house in Clover Park. While I was in LA, Owen came out every other weekend to visit me. We’re making it work.
As for the future, we’re going to talk about all projects that come up for each of us and make sure it’s good for us as a couple. I’ll be working closely with Claire’s production company, Red Jewel Films, and hopefully be in some films that are filmed locally. It’s important to me and Owen that we’re close to his family, whom I love almost as much as I love him.
Now we’re on our way to Happy Endings for our engagement party. It’s mid-October and raining. Owen insisted on driving us, even though we live just a couple of blocks away because he didn’t want my dress or shoes to get ruined in the rain. He’s so thoughtful that way. My guard Zander is already there. I hired a second guard to give Zander breaks, who’s also willing to travel with me. Harry’s a hulk of a man who used to work for a rock star until his client got into drugs. Harry has a strict no-drug policy, which works for me.
